Ship project history:Designed by Fiat-San Giorgio Yards, the Foca was a
development of the Glauco class and was the only Italian submarine
provided with 3 shafts and 3 propellers, operated by three sets of Fiat petrol
motors for a total of 800bhp. On 26 April 1909 an internal petrol explosion set
fire to her fuel, in Naples harbour so it was necessary to sink the boat.
Refloated and towed to La Spezia, she was repaired, and the central motor with
its shaft and propeller were removed. After this accident, the Italian Navy gave
up building petrol-powered submarines.